How to Use Vinegar to Lighten Hair

By LeafTV Editor

How to Use Vinegar to Lighten Hair. You may have heard that vinegar can be used to clarify and condition hair. It is also a popular ingredient used to lighten hair at home. You don't need expensive salon coloring to achieve a lighter and brighter shade of hair when you can do it easily and inexpensively with vinegar.

Use Vinegar to Lighten Hair

Step 1

Rinse your hair with vinegar before you shampoo it. The vinegar will help remove buildup from styling products and will also impart a natural shine to it.

Step 2

Boil 2 cups water in a small pot, and then add 2 tbsp. cider vinegar and steep for 15 minutes. Allow it to cool and after you rinse out your shampoo, pour the mixture through your hair.

Step 3

Use white vinegar to bring out blond highlights and lighten your hair. Apple cider vinegar will bring out auburn tones.

Step 4

Mix one part vinegar and one part lemon juice in a spray bottle. For highlighted streaks, pull out sections of your hair and spray with the mixture. For all-over lightening and brightening, saturate all of your hair. Leave on 10 minutes or longer. To enhance the mixture's effects, sit outside in the sun.

Step 5

Rinse your hair with vinegar as often as you like, depending on your hair's condition. Many people can use the rinse up to three times per week, while some people should only use it once a week. Know your hair--for most people, vinegar adds softness and shine.

Step 6

Let the vinegar stay in your hair for 10 to 20 minutes to further lighten your hair if you have time. Then rinse it out with warm water. The vinegar smell should evaporate as your hair dries.

Step 7

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup soy sauce to add subtle coloring to dark hair. Use as a rinse after shampooing just as you would with a plain vinegar rinse.